The Irish State has taken a commendable stand against Israel’s ongoing violations of international law. However, as a nation committed to human rights and justice, we can and must do more.
A major joint report released today, from Oxfam and ActionAid, reveals that Israel’s evacuation orders may amount to a campaign of forcible transfer— a grave breach of International Humanitarian Law.
The forced displacement orders imposed by Israel during its 62-day war in Lebanon constitute grave breaches of International Humanitarian Law, Oxfam Ireland said today.
The report, Forced Displacement Orders: Debunking the Myth of Humane Attacks, exposes the inadequacy and illegality of the “evacuation orders”, which displaced 1.4 million people into life-threatening conditions. It found:
Between September 23 and October 31, Israel issued 136 displacement orders affecting 25% of Lebanon, while conducting 3,334 airstrikes.
Alarmingly, only 3.5% of these strikes were preceded by area-specific displacement orders.
The majority of these orders were issued between 10pm and 4am, when compliance was near impossible.
In many cases, families had as little as 15 minutes to flee.
The report also says that these displacements, either targeted specific locations or imposed mass evacuations on entire villages, towns, and neighbourhoods. With almost no provisions for shelter, safety, or essential services, these orders inflicted immense suffering and raised serious concerns about potential war crimes.
“This report dismantles any notion that these displacements were conducted humanely. Families were given impossible choices: flee in the dead of night with no time to gather belongings or remain in their homes under threat of annihilation. These actions represent a blatant disregard for international humanitarian law and a complete failure to protect civilian lives.
“The Irish State has taken a commendable stand against Israel’s ongoing violations of international law. However, as a nation committed to human rights and justice, we can and must do more. These grave injustices must not go unanswered. We must also push for stronger accountability measures.
“This includes halting the transfer of weapons to any party where there is a risk of further human rights violations and ensuring that civilians are protected regardless of their location or circumstances. The next Programme for Government should include provision for spot-checks, sampling and seizure of any weapons bound for Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen or the wider region. Ireland needs to back our diplomatic support of civilians with practical measures to ensure we are not complicit in human rights abuses in the region.”
— Jim Clarken, Oxfam Ireland CEO
Entire communities—including Syrian and Palestinian refugees and migrant workers already living in precarious conditions—were left to seek refuge in overcrowded shelters, on the streets, or in areas lacking basic sanitation and safety. Women and girls, in particular, faced heightened risks of gender-based violence. Tens of thousands of children were deprived of their right to education.
CEO of ActionAid Ireland, Karol Balfe, echoed Oxfam Ireland’s call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire to protect people in Lebanon from further upheaval.
“The reality is that until we reach this point, families in Lebanon will continue to live in fear that bombs could start dropping on their homes again at any moment. All efforts must be focused on preserving Lebanon’s fragile peace and ensuring the current ceasefire agreement holds so the tens of thousands of civilians still unable to return home can rebuild their lives. The international community must intervene to stop the transfer of weapons and military equipment where there is a risk they will be used to commit further international human rights violations.”
— Karol Balfe, CEO of ActionAid Ireland
Forced displacement is prohibited under International Humanitarian Law unless civilian safety and well-being—including access to shelter, hygiene, healthcare, and family unity—are guaranteed. The report concludes that Israel’s actions failed to meet these standards.
Oxfam Ireland is calling for:
An immediate and permanent ceasefire in Lebanon and Gaza.
The immediate and safe return of displaced people in South Lebanon.
The cessation of all arms transfers that risk further IHL violations.
Full accountability for all parties responsible for breaches of international law.
The passing of the Occupied Territories Bill without delay by the new Government.
Suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.
The new report is a wake-up call for the global community to act decisively to protect civilians and hold violators of international law accountable.
Read the Oxfam/ActionAid report Forced Displacement Orders: Debunking the Myth of Humane Attacks.
“This report dismantles any notion that these displacements were conducted humanely. Families were given impossible choices: flee in the dead of night with no time to gather belongings or remain in their homes under threat of annihilation. These actions represent a blatant disregard for international humanitarian law and a complete failure to protect civilian lives.
“The reality is that until we reach this point, families in Lebanon will continue to live in fear that bombs could start dropping on their homes again at any moment. All efforts must be focused on preserving Lebanon’s fragile peace and ensuring the current ceasefire agreement holds so the tens of thousands of civilians still unable to return home can rebuild their lives. The international community must intervene to stop the transfer of weapons and military equipment where there is a risk they will be used to commit further international human rights violations.”
